Ochoco Salmon meets boys in Derby

PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Meadows will close its 75-day meeting with a bang Saturday, as three stakes races grace a nine-race program that also includes a host of special activities centered on the simulcast of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs.

The live card will start with a special first post at 11:05 a.m.

Topping the live card is the $20,000-added Oregon Derby, which has drawn a field of six 3-year-olds, including a Jonathan Nance-trained entry, to vie at 1 1/8 miles. The entry includes the lone filly in the field, Ochoco Salmon, who will attempt to become the first of her sex to win the Oregon Derby since Brokers Lark accomplished the feat in 1983.

Ochoco Salmon, a daughter of Ochoco, enters the Oregon Derby off four straight wins, including easy 3 1/2-length victories in both the 1 1/16-mile Oregon Oaks and the 1 1/16-mile Preview Stakes on April 16. She beat males in the Preview, including four of her five rivals Saturday.

The lone newcomer in the Oregon Derby is Eduardo, a son of Ochoco trained by Armando Rodriguez. Eduardo has come to hand suddenly, posting an 11 3/4-length maiden win on April 9 and a 3 1/4-length win over $5,000 winners on April 17.

The card also includes the $24,000 Oregon-bred Quarter Horse Futurity at 220 yards and the $20,000-added Kindergarten Stakes for 2-year-old Thoroughbreds at five furlongs.